FAQs

1. What is Virgin Coconut Oil?

A: Virgin coconut oil is nature’s richest source of a unique group of fats called medium-chain triglycerides. These fats digest quickly in our bodies, without being stored as fat. These fats – we will call them MCTs for short – break down in our bodies to form some of the most powerful immune-boosting agents known in nature. They help boost energy, metabolism and improve digestive function, prevent the deposition of unwanted fats, and are wonderful anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral agents as well. One of the MCTs found in virgin coconut oil, called Lauric Acid, is otherwise only found in nature in mother's milk and in palm oil.

2.How do we make it?

A: Virgin Coconut Oil is extracted from fresh coconut milk, without the use of any heat, chemicals, solvents or extra processing. We use an advanced cold-process technology to extract our virgin coconut oil. This helps retain all the natural properties of the fresh coconut, and keeps the oil smelling just like a freshly grated coconut. The oil is water-clear at room temperature above 23 degrees C, and solidifies to snow white 'butter' below 20 degrees C.

3. Why have I always heard that coconut oil is bad for health?

A: Extracts of the coconut have long been used – since the 1970s at least – for premature babies. It is still the main ingredient in sports formula and baby food, in anti-fungal creams, eczema medication, and for people who have cystic fibrosis (issues with digesting fats). Unfortunately, oil lobbies – the vegetable kind (yes, these exist too!) – have succeeded in making the best of us believe that something what we used to eat for generations here in India, and what had probably kept us healthy for the longest time, was an ‘artery-clogging saturated fat’.

Coconut and coconut oil were in fact so villified by the 1980s, that 30 years down the line, doctors still ask us to stop eating coconut and coconut products. Here’s the irony: much of the world’s coconut oil is currently being exported to the United States, which just 30 years ago, was convinced that coconut is as bad for you as hydrogenated oil.

4 How does one oil do so many things?

Virgin coconut oil is the best natural source of Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) – nearly 64 percent of Coconess l is MCTs. These are a group of fats that, because of their small molecular size, break down easily in our bodies. More importantly, they break down to form powerful immune-boosting and energy-giving compounds.

The three major MCTs in virgin coconut oil are Lauric Acid, Capric Acid and Capryllic Acid. Lauric acid is what is found in mother’s milk, and breaks down in our bodies to form a powerful anti-bacterial, while Capric and Capryllic acid are some of nature’s most powerful anti-fungals. The comprehensive benefits of MCTs have in fact been so compelling that companies now sell monolaurin, capric acid and caprillic acid supplements for their anti-microbial and anti-viral properties – all separately of course!

5 How much Coconess Health Tonic Should I consume in a day?

Two tablespoons a day, or 30 ml, as part of your daily diet is the recommended daily dosage.

Use in place of other vegetable oils, use as salad dressing, in chutney powders, with rotis/chapatis instead of oil, and even as a baking substitute for cakes, muffins, breads.

6 How is virgin coconut oil different from refined oil?

Virgin coconut oil is made from coconut milk, which is extracted from fresh mature coconuts. No heat, chemicals, solvents or enzymes are used to extract the oil. Virgin coconut oil is light, non-greasy and water-clear above 22 degrees Centigrade. More importantly, this delicate form of processing ensures that it retains a fresh coconut flavour, and all the micro-nutrients and anti-oxidants naturally present in the coconut.

Refined coconut oil is made from dried copra. This is often copra that has been left outside to dry, and is therefore not of the best quality. In order for this copra-derived oil to be fit for human consumption, it has to go through a refining process known as refining-bleaching-deodorizing (or RBD). The RBD process uses heat and chemicals to extract the oil, thus leaving it with a thick texture, strong burnt coconut smell, and yellow colour. The natural Vitamin E, antioxidants and micro-nutrients are all but missing in this copra-derived refined oil.

Just for Mama